This Extreme increase in hotel prices in Spain threatens to force tourist transfer to other international destinations. This is the tourism industry’s biggest fear in the face of a summer campaign that was declared extraordinary but could be interrupted by the greed of businessmen eager to increase margins and make up for salary increases for the most precarious staff. In April CPI, hotel prices increased by 17.2% and holiday package prices by 13.7%. Sources from the industry point out that destinations like Portugal or Greece, which can attract some of the tourists visiting Spain, are much cheaper. Some countries are offering a more favorable exchange than the euro this year, with more than 10% changes in their currencies. This partly explains the rise of destinations like Argentina, Egypt, Japan or Morocco over destinations like Costa Rica or Mexico where the exchange rate is unfavorable.
E-Book sources assure that bookings last Easter were 22% more expensive than in 2022. During the May public holiday, prices increased by 25%. There is an increase in the prices of flights compared to previous years. “We are not alone, and the hotel industry should be aware that excessive increases in prices will automatically lead to a shift in demand to other areas with lower prices,” explains Toni Raurich, eBooking.com director.
According to eBooking data, In Spain this Easter 2023 the price averaged 155 euros per night., compared to the cost of separation in 2022 at 127 Euros. Likewise, on this May public holiday, the average nightly price in 2023 was 150 Euros compared to 120 Euros in 2022. In the case of Catalonia, comparative data from EBooking indicates a price increase of 78.3%, from an average of 118.4 euros per night to 211.1 euros. Between January and April, hotel prices in Barcelona increased markedly. According to a recent advance from Gremi d’Hotels president Jordi Clos, the average price per night for a room was 151 euros, the highest figure for this time of the year.
The inflation excuse partially justifies these increases. However, the increases are excessive due to the reduction in energy prices. “Prices are skyrocketing because there is still demand to support them”He finishes Raurich.
Indeed, Travelzoo sources acknowledge that their data confirms that two-thirds of their customers say they will continue or increase their travel spend through 2023 compared to 2022, and will take at least three getaways and leisure trips. But three out of four respondents think price is the most important thing when choosing hotels 20% more than a year ago.
lack of staff, recovery of business trips and eventsThe emergence of new remote working and travel models caused by the pandemic (digital nomads), along with the increase in air capacity and the increase in Asian tourism, are contributing to rising prices.